Season 1 | Episode 37: Hiring for Character in an AI Driven World
Show Notes:
In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, Heather Parsons is joined by Sean Vassilaros, a seasoned entrepreneur and SaaS founder, for a deep conversation on trust, character, and what truly drives long-term business success.
Sean shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building and selling a highly regulated SaaS platform for remote clinical trials to advising university students and launching an HR technology company focused on one critical hiring question: can this person be trusted? Drawing from decades of experience hiring hundreds of employees, Sean explains why traditional interviews, references, and personality assessments fail to measure the most important predictor of success, character.
The discussion explores how trust impacts hiring, leadership, mergers and acquisitions, and company culture. Heather and Sean examine the rising challenges leaders face in a world shaped by AI, automation, and surface-level credentials, emphasizing the growing importance of critical thinking, integrity, and consistency between who someone is at work and who they are outside of it.
Sean breaks down how relationship-based data, observable behaviors, and peer insights can provide a more accurate picture of a candidate’s character than resumes or interviews alone. Together, they discuss red flags leaders should watch for, the financial cost of bad hires, and why hiring for values is no longer optional for founders who want to scale sustainably.
The episode closes with a candid reflection on leadership, accountability, and the long-term value of telling the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. This conversation offers founders and executives a thoughtful framework for building stronger teams, faster decisions, and more resilient organizations.
Bio:
Sean Vassilaros is an entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to leveraging technology for societal impact. At the heart of his work is a commitment to character, integrity, and family. As CEO of KANNY, Sean is transforming hiring practices through peer-driven character checks. KANNY's advanced technology gathers feedback from colleagues, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s character while maintaining privacy. This approach addresses a critical gap in talent acquisition, helping build teams grounded in integrity and trust.
Sean’s entrepreneurial journey began at 21 when he co-founded his first company during the dotcom era. Two years later, he sold the company and joined a prestigious Los Angeles agency to hone his skills in the travel, entertainment, and healthcare industries. His career continued with notable IT and communications consulting roles before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Ignite Health (now part of Syneos Health).
In 2012, Sean co-founded THREAD, a company focused on decentralized clinical trials. Under his leadership, THREAD revolutionized healthcare research, collaborating with brands like Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins and Duke University. Today, Sean remains an owner and board observer at THREAD, maintaining ties to its continued success.
Sean also serves on the Board of Directors for Spectrum Science, a healthcare agency focused on health and science communication. As an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University, he mentors engineering students and leads international projects through the Creative Inquiry program.
Philanthropy is central to Sean’s life. He founded the Hailey Mayz Foundation in honor of his daughter, providing therapy to thousands of special needs children for over a decade. He serves as Chairman of the Board, guiding its strategic vision.
Sean also chairs the board of OUR Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad), the organization featured in the 2023 film The Sound of Freedom. He led the organization as interim CEO during a critical year, inspiring meaningful global change through his leadership.
Sean Vassilaros is an entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to leveraging technology for societal impact. At the heart of his work is a commitment to character, integrity, and family. As CEO of KANNY, Sean is transforming hiring practices through peer-driven character checks. KANNY's advanced technology gathers feedback from colleagues, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s character while maintaining privacy. This approach addresses a critical gap in talent acquisition, helping build teams grounded in integrity and trust. Sean’s entrepreneurial journey began at 21 when he co-founded his first company during the dotcom era. Two years later, he sold the company and joined a prestigious Los Angeles agency to hone his skills in the travel, entertainment, and healthcare industries. His career continued with notable IT and communications consulting roles before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Ignite Health (now part of Syneos Health). In 2012, Sean co-founded THREAD, a company focused on decentralized clinical trials. Under his leadership, THREAD revolutionized healthcare research, collaborating with brands like Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins and Duke University. Today, Sean remains an owner and board observer at THREAD, maintaining ties to its continued success. Sean also serves on the Board of Directors for Spectrum Science, a healthcare agency focused on health and science communication. As an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University, he mentors engineering students and leads international projects through the Creative Inquiry program. Philanthropy is central to Sean’s life. He founded the Hailey Mayz Foundation in honor of his daughter, providing therapy to thousands of special needs children for over a decade. He serves as Chairman of the Board, guiding its strategic vision. Sean also chairs the board of OUR Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad), the organization featured in the 2023 film The Sound of Freedom. He led the organization as interim CEO during a critical year, inspiring meaningful global change through his leadership.
To connect with our guest, click on the links below:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanv/
Connect with me:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/
https://heatherparsons.com/links
Join the C-Suite Insiders Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders
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